Fabien Galthié’s team are among the favourites to be crowned world champions having captured the Grand Slam at last year’s Six Nations Championship.

Scrum-half Antoine Dupont is their talisman and captain as he looks to guide France to their first Rugby World Cup trophy.

France have been drawn in Pool A along with three-time champions New Zealand, Italy, Uruguay and Namibia.

They are set to start the tournament tomorrow with a mouthwatering clash against New Zealand at the Stade de France.

"What could be better than New Zealand?," said Galthié in a report by Yahoo.

"I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, this is a team that hasn’t lost a match in the qualifying [pool] phase since the World Cup began.

"Ever - 31 wins.

"This is a team that has three World Cup titles to its name, a team that has just won the last competition it took part in, the Four Nations [Rugby Championship].

"We’re so happy to be playing them that Friday’s match is a celebration, a joy, a great joy for us.

"It’s wonderful."

The Rugby World Cup opener will present a test for the Stade de France which is due to host athletics, Para athletics, rugby sevens and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies at next year's Olympics and Paralympics.

French officials will be desperate to avoid a repeat of the shocking scenes that marred the staging of the 2022 UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France.

Supporters became caught in bottlenecks and crushes outside the ground as police used pepper spray and heavy-handed tactics that were alarming to see.

French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra has revealed that between 5,500 and 7,000 security personnel are set to be mobilised across France for the Rugby World Cup.

France 2023 President Jacques Rivoal has also spoken of his optimism over the organisation of the event.

"We’re confident," said Rivoal in a report by French newspaper Le Monde.

"There are regular meetings with Government departments.

"The matter is being taken very, very seriously."

South Africa are the defending champions and will be looking to secure a record fourth crown in France.

The Springboks have been placed in Pool B which features Ireland who are the world number one and claimed the Grand Slam at this year’s Six Nations Championships.

Scotland will be looking to overcome the likes of South Africa and Ireland to advance, while Tonga and Romania have also been drawn in that group.

Wales, Australia and Fiji have been pitted against each other in Pool C that also consists of Georgia and Portugal.

England, Japan, Argentina, Samoa and Chile make up Pool D.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the last eight, with the Stade de France set to stage two of the quarter-finals, both semi-finals, the bronze-medal match and the final.

It will be the second time France has played host having staged the 2007 edition and World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont has backed the country to hold another successful tournament.

"It was 200 years ago that our sport was born and there can be no better place to celebrate our birthday than here in France," said Sir Bill.

"We know that this nation will be a magnificent host, not just here in Paris but the length and breadth of a nation that loves major events and loves rugby.

"We believe Rugby World Cup 2023 will be rugby’s ultimate celebration of togetherness.

"And why?

"We’ve received incredible support from the highest office to the smallest villages.

"Never has a nation been so ready and so excited to host."